Christmas Day 2010

The Veteran An independent Internet publication dedicated to the sacrifice and indomitable spirit of those who served in the Korean War.

Christmas Lights at Kapyong

Veterans who were there will not recognize the features of Kapyong (now spelled Gapyeong), but the video of lights in the parks of the small city may bring cheer to those who served or who have visited. For those who do not know, Gapyeong has long been famous for its beautiful flowers and waterways and is just half an hour’s drive from the city of Chuncheon, which is surrounded by beautiful lakes and rivers and was the major setting for the highly popular Korean television series, Winter Sonata . It’s worth a look. Just click on the http bar below. When you get an offer to install software, click “Don't Install.” When the video starts playing you may want to click on “full screen.”

http://www.arirang.co.kr/Tv2/TV_Highlight_VOD.asp?Cate=2&vod_key=215

Cheonan crew survivors remember lost

Shipmates on Christmas Eve

Never Forgotten – Sailors from the Republic of Korea Navy Ship Cheonan that was sunk in the West Sea in March gather at the military cemetery in Taegu to pay tribute to their 55 comrades who went down with the ship. The captain of the Cheonan, Choi Won-Il, led shipmates in the service on Christmas Eve.

Earlier in the month, for the first time in seven years, Christmas lights were lit on a 100-foot high tower near a ROK Army observation post that overlooks the DMZ. The 10,000 lights for the shape of a Christmas tree with a Cross on its top. The North Korean Government complained about the lights to a previous South Korean administration seven years ago and the annual service was ended. This year, following sinking of the ship the Cheonan and North Korean shelling of the island of Yeonpyeong in November, the tower was lit up again. Members of a Church from held a service when the lights were turned on. See the video below the following photographs that were taken in downtown Seoul.

Children pray at a Nativity Scene outside the Myeongdeong Catholic Cathedral in downtown Seoul, braving the coldest weather that has hit Seoul this year.

View from toward Namdaemun, the South Gate of Korea, showing the remarkable Christmas lights that adorn the streets of downtown Seoul. The photograph below shows the full wall of lights that encircle the City Hall plaza which is part of the Seoul Plaza. To gain proper perspective, the shiny surface enclosed by the wall of light is a large skating rink. The huge Christmas tree shown in the photo above is visible on the right of the wall, looking toward Namdaemun.

Firefighters from the Cheongno, now spelled Jongno District in downtown Seoul visit the Seoul National University Children’s Hospital on Christmas Eve to bring cheer to children. Dressed in Santa Claus suits they are shown presenting a gift and blessing a small patient.

South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak and first lady Kim Yoon-ok weep openly during a Christmas charity event held at the Cheong Wa Day (Korean White House) on Christmas Eve. They were both moved when the mother of the late Shim Min-jung recounted how her 25-year old daughter had gone to Afghanistan in 1996 as a volunteer to help the poor and disabled and died of a disease she contracted. The President and his wife later entertained children at a Christmas party.

To watch video of service at tower overlooking DMZ and North Korea, click on the headline below.

South Korea Lights up Christmas Tree Near North ... 1 min - 2 days ago - Uploaded by NTDTV For more news & videos visit ☛english.ntdtv.com A South Korean church group lit a huge Christmas tree tower today in an unusual ... youtube.com - Related videos